Homeland Security Investigations special agents seized 900 rounds of Lake City .50 caliber tracer-equipped linked ammunition after a Hidalgo County Constable conducted a traffic stop and questioned the contents of a vehicle.
Pedro Cruz Almeida Jr. was charged with attempting to export ammunition without obtaining a license or written authorization for such an export on Thursday.
According to the criminal complaint, a Hidalgo County Constable’s Office Precinct #3 constable conducted a traffic stop at around 1:35 p.m. on a 2022 red Hyundai Elantra for failing to stop at a designated point on Feb. 3 in McAllen.
The Constable asked Almeida for consent to search his vehicle, which is when he located packages in the back of the vehicle and asked Almeida about the contents inside.
“Almeida stated to the HCCO Constable that it was .50 caliber ammunition,” the complaint said. “Additional boxes of ammunition were found in the trunk of the vehicle being driven by Almeida, which resulted in a total of 600 rounds of Lake City .50 caliber tracer-equipped linked ammunition.”
HSI special agents arrived at the scene and asked Almeida to come back to the McAllen Police Department with them regarding the ammo to which he agreed.
During the interview, Almeida stated the ammo was intended to be transferred to an unidentified individual and that he routinely meets with them in Reynosa to receive cash used to purchase ammunition, according to the complaint.
He added that he orders ammo at the direction of this individual in Mexico with the cash he received and has been doing so for about a year now.
“Almeida stated he has ordered ammunition approximately thirty times over the past year and that once he is in possession of the ammunition he calls an individual in Mexico to learn when and where to deliver the ammunition,” the complaint said.
He also stated that he delivers the ammo to vehicles at various locations, including within the vicinity of the Hidalgo Port of Entry, and would get paid $100 for every box of ammo he delivered.
On Thursday, HSI special agents seized an additional 300 rounds of the Lake City .50 caliber tracer-equipped linked ammo from Almeida which was also intended to be smuggled into Mexico, according to the complaint.
Almeida appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis Friday morning for his initial appearance.
